TWI895052B - Hearing detection system and method - Google Patents

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a hearing detection system including a playback module and a detection module. The playback module includes a volume adjustment module. The volume adjustment module is connected to a player and adjusts the volume of the test sound. The player plays the test sound to the user’s test ear. The test sound includes a plurality of single tones with different decibels or a plurality of single tones with different frequencies. The detection module communicates with the playback module, and the user generates a test response for a plurality of single tones with different decibels or a plurality of single tones with different frequencies. The test response is for the user to input the number of single tones heard into the detection module.

Description

Hearing testing system and method

This case relates to a hearing testing system and method, particularly a hearing testing system and method that shortens testing time.

Among existing hearing testing methods, pure tone audiometry (PTA) is recognized as the most accurate method. In the pure tone hearing test process, first, a playback device plays a single tone to the subject, and a professional records whether the subject hears the tone. Then, the above playback and response steps are repeated multiple times with single tones of different frequencies and decibels to obtain a complete hearing report of the subject. However, the above testing method requires the presence of a professional to assist in recording the subject's response and adjusting the frequency and decibel of the single tone. In addition, because the subject must respond once to each single tone played, the test time is longer.

Current hearing test methods, often used in mobile apps, compare the test data from a subject at two frequencies to infer their hearing at other frequencies. This allows the subject to complete a hearing test independently using a mobile app, shortening the test time. However, these hearing test apps only compare the test data from the subject at two frequencies and do not actually measure hearing responses at other frequencies. Therefore, they do not meet hearing test standards and produce inaccurate test results. If a full hearing test is performed on a mobile app, the test takes longer because the test subject needs to respond once to each tone played. Furthermore, the test subject may become impatient and respond incorrectly, resulting in inaccurate test results.

Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop a hearing test system and method that can improve the above-mentioned shortcomings of learning technology.

The purpose of this project is to provide a hearing test system and method that allows users to generate a single test response to multiple tones of different decibels or multiple tones of different frequencies, thereby reducing the test time and preventing the test subject from becoming impatient due to prolonged testing and causing erroneous responses.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a hearing test system is provided, comprising a playback module and a detection module. The playback module includes a volume adjustment module, which is connected to a player and adjusts the volume of a test tone. The player plays the test tone to a user's test ear. The test tone comprises a plurality of tones of varying decibels or a plurality of tones of varying frequencies. The detection module communicates with the playback module, and the user generates a test response in response to the plurality of tones of varying decibels or a plurality of tones of varying frequencies. The test response is the number of tones heard, which the user inputs to the detection module.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a hearing test method is provided, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a playback module and a detection module that communicate with each other, wherein the playback module includes a volume adjustment module that adjusts the volume of a test tone; and (b) utilizing a player connected to the volume adjustment module to play the test tone to a user's test ear, wherein the test tone includes a plurality of single tones of different decibels or a plurality of single tones of different frequencies; and (c) utilizing the user to generate a test response based on the plurality of single tones of different decibels or the plurality of single tones of different frequencies, wherein the test response is the number of single tones heard by the user input into the detection module.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a hearing test system is provided, comprising a playback module and a detection module. The playback module includes a volume adjustment module, which is connected to a player and adjusts the volume of a test tone. The player then plays the test tone to a user's test ear. The test tone comprises a plurality of tones of varying decibels or a plurality of tones of varying frequencies. The detection module communicates with the playback module, wherein the user generates a test response in response to the plurality of tones of varying decibels or a plurality of tones of varying frequencies, and the test response is input to the detection module, indicating whether the user hears any of the test tones.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a hearing test method is provided, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a playback module and a detection module that communicate with each other, wherein the playback module includes a volume adjustment module that adjusts the volume of a test tone; (b) utilizing a player connected to the volume adjustment module to play the test tone to a user's test ear, wherein the test tone includes a plurality of single tones of different decibels or a plurality of single tones of different frequencies; and (c) utilizing the user to generate a test response based on the plurality of single tones of different decibels or a plurality of single tones of different frequencies, wherein the test response is a result of whether the user hears any single tone from the test tone and inputs it into the detection module.

Typical embodiments that embody the features and advantages of this invention will be described in detail in the following description. It should be understood that this invention is capable of various variations in different aspects without departing from the scope of this invention, and that the descriptions and illustrations herein are intended for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit this invention.

Figure 1 is a structural diagram of a hearing test system 1 of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 1, the hearing test system 1 includes a playback module 2 and a detection module 3. In some embodiments, the playback module 2 and the detection module 3 are derived from the same software program of a mobile phone or a computer. In other embodiments, the playback module 2 and the detection module 3 are different software programs. The playback module 2 includes a volume adjustment module 20, which is connected to the player 4 and adjusts the volume of the test sound. The player 4 plays the test sound to the test ear of the user. The player 4 is worn by the user, and the player 4 can be, for example but not limited to, headphones or an electronic device that can play sound. The test sound includes a plurality of single tones of different decibels or a plurality of single tones of different frequencies. The detection module 3 communicates with the playback module 2, and the user generates a test response to a plurality of tones of different decibels or a plurality of tones of different frequencies. The test response is that the user inputs the number of tones heard into the detection module 3. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the test tones include three tones with the same frequency, the three tones are 5 decibels, 10 decibels, and 15 decibels, and the playback interval and playback length of the tones are both 1 second. However, the decibel number of the tones, the playback interval of the tones, and the playback length of the tones can all be adjusted according to the actual situation without limitation. The way in which the user generates a test response can be, for example, but not limited to, the user inputs the number of tones heard into the mobile phone app or computer software through the mobile phone touch screen or computer keyboard. In some embodiments, the detection module 3 is a mobile phone app (as shown in Figure 1). After the test tone is played, the detection module 3 displays "The test tone is played. Please enter the number of single tones heard by the user" through a user interface 32. Then, the user enters the number of single tones heard into the detection module 3 through the user interface 32.

In this hearing test system, users can generate a single test response to multiple tones of different decibels or frequencies, thereby reducing the test time and preventing the test subject from becoming impatient and causing erroneous responses due to prolonged testing.

The test tone in this embodiment can include multiple single tones of different decibels or multiple single tones of different frequencies. To simplify the description, the following example uses the embodiment in which the test tone includes multiple single tones of different decibels as an example. The embodiment in which the test tone includes multiple single tones of different frequencies is similar to the embodiment in which the test tone includes multiple single tones of different decibels, and therefore will not be further described here.

Figure 2 is a structural diagram of a hearing test system 1a according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention. Components having similar structures and functions in the hearing test system 1a shown in Figure 2 and the hearing test system 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals and will not be described in detail herein. In this embodiment, the playback module 2 further includes an initial volume setting module 21 connected to the volume adjustment module 20. The initial volume setting module 21 is configured to set the initial volume. The volume adjustment module 20 sets the decibels of a plurality of different decibel tones in the test sound according to the initial volume setting. The initial volume can be a fixed value, an arbitrary value, or generated by a setting program. For example, the setting program plays a parameter setting sound through the player 4, and the user generates a parameter setting sound response to the parameter setting sound. The parameter setting sound can be, for example, but not limited to, a conversation or music of any decibel level and frequency. The parameter setting sound response is the user inputting the clarity of the conversation or music into the detection module 3. The user can generate the parameter setting sound response by, for example, but not limited to, entering the clarity of the conversation or music into a mobile app or computer software via a mobile phone touch screen or computer keyboard. The initial volume setting module 21 sets the initial volume based on the parameter setting sound response.

The playback module 2 also includes a frequency selection module 23 connected to the volume adjustment module 20. The frequency selection module 23 is configured to select a frequency to be tested from a plurality of frequencies to be tested as a test frequency. The volume adjustment module 20 generates a test tone comprising a plurality of single tones of varying decibels in response to the test frequency. The user generates a test response to the test tone having the test frequency. After the user generates a test response, the volume adjustment module 20 adjusts the decibels of the single tones in the test tone based on the test response and plays the adjusted test tone through the player 4. The user then generates a test response to the adjusted test tone again. By adjusting the decibel level of a single tone in the test tone more than 20 times through the volume adjustment module and playing the adjusted test tone through the player 4, the user can generate multiple test responses.

The detection module 3 also includes a connected volume threshold recording module 30 and an audiogram output module 31. The volume threshold recording module 30 is configured to receive a plurality of test responses having a test frequency and generate a volume threshold for the test frequency based on the plurality of test responses. The volume threshold recording module 30 records the volume threshold for the test frequency. The audiogram output module 31 is configured to output an audiogram based on the volume threshold for the test frequency. In some embodiments, the volume threshold recording module 30 records the volume thresholds of a plurality of test frequencies of different frequencies, and the audiogram output module 31 is configured to output an audiogram based on the volume thresholds of the plurality of test frequencies of different frequencies.

In some embodiments, when the volume threshold recording module 30 generates a volume threshold for a test frequency, it indicates that the volume adjustment module 20 has completed testing of the test frequency. The frequency selection module 23 selects a frequency that has not yet been tested from a plurality of test frequencies as a test frequency and performs testing on the test frequency through the volume adjustment module 20. After the volume threshold recording module 30 records the volume thresholds for the plurality of test frequencies, the audiogram output module 31 outputs an audiogram based on the volume thresholds for the plurality of test frequencies, thereby completing the testing of the plurality of test frequencies by the volume adjustment module 20. The audiogram output format may be, for example, but not limited to, a line graph, a table, or text.

In some embodiments, the playback module 2 further includes a target ear selection module 22 connected to the volume adjustment module 20. The target ear selection module 22 is configured to select a test ear for the user. The target ear selection module 22 selects the user's ear that has not yet completed testing for the multiple test frequencies as the test ear. The volume adjustment module 20 then plays the test tone to the user's test ear via the player 4.

FIG3 shows an example of an audiogram output by the audiogram output module 31 based on the volume thresholds at multiple test frequencies. This audiogram is an example of data generated after a user undergoes a hearing test. The horizontal axis represents the test frequency (Hz) and the vertical axis represents the volume threshold (dB), representing the user's volume thresholds at different test frequencies. In this example, the volume thresholds for the user's left ear at test frequencies of 250Hz, 300Hz, 1000Hz, 2000Hz, 4000Hz, and 8000Hz are approximately 35dB, 35dB, 20dB, 15dB, 5dB, and 5dB, respectively. The volume thresholds for the user's right ear at the test frequencies of 250Hz, 300Hz, 1000Hz, 2000Hz, 4000Hz, and 8000Hz are approximately 30dB, 35dB, 15dB, 10dB, 5dB, and 5dB, respectively. In some embodiments, a threshold of 40-70dB indicates moderate hearing loss; a threshold of 20-40dB indicates mild hearing loss; and a threshold of 0-20dB indicates normal hearing.

The following describes how the volume adjustment module 20 adjusts the decibel of a single tone in the test tone according to the user's test response and plays the test tone through the player 4, causing the user to generate multiple test responses, and how the volume threshold recording module 30 generates the volume threshold of the test frequency based on the multiple test responses.

The volume adjustment module 20 plays a test tone to the user's test ear via the player 4 based on the initial volume set by the initial volume setting module 21 and the test frequency selected by the frequency selection module 23. The test tone consists of N single tones of the same test frequency but different decibel levels. The volume interval of the N single tones is X decibels, where N and X are positive integers. The user generates a test response to each of the N single tones. The volume adjustment module 20 adjusts the decibel level of each single tone in the test tone based on the number of single tones heard by the user. The player 4 plays the test tone M times, where M is greater than or equal to 2. The user generates M test responses based on the M test tones, and these M test responses are stored in the detection module 3.

If the number of single tones heard by the user when playing the test tone is 0, the volume adjustment module 20 increases the volume of the N single tones by W1 decibels respectively, and plays the N single tones with increased volume to the user's test ear again through the player 4, where W1 is a positive integer.

If the number of tones heard by the user when playing the test tone is L, the volume adjustment module 20 lowers the volume of each of the N tones by (L-1)*W2 decibels and plays the N tones at the lowered volume again through the player 4 to the user's test ear. L is greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to N, and W2 is a positive integer.

When the minimum volume of a single tone heard by the user when the player 4 plays the test tone for the mth time is the same as the minimum volume of a single tone heard when the test tone is played for the m-1th time, the detection module 3 determines that the minimum volume of a single tone heard by the user when the test tone is played for the mth time is the volume threshold of the test frequency, where m is greater than or equal to 2 and less than or equal to M.

Since the volume threshold of the test frequency in this case was obtained through repeated decibel adjustments, it complies with the Hughson-Westlake audiometry method, thereby enhancing the accuracy of the test results.

The following table [1] uses N=2 and X=5 as an example to illustrate how, in this case, the volume adjustment module 20 adjusts the decibels of a single tone in the test tone based on the user's test response, plays the test tone through the player 4, causing the user to generate multiple test responses, and how the volume threshold recording module 30 generates a volume threshold for the test frequency based on the multiple test responses. When N=2 and X=5, it means that the test tone includes two single tones, the volume interval between the two tones is 5 decibels, and the volume adjustment module 20 sets the decibels of the single tone in the test tone played by the player 4 for the first time based on the initial volume set by the initial volume setting module 21. The test tone played for the first time The number of single tones heard by the user The test tone played for the second time The number of single tones heard by the user The test tone played for the third time The number of single tones heard by the user 25 decibels, 30 decibels 1 25 decibels, 30 decibels 1 Volume threshold = 30dB 2 20 decibels, 25 decibels 1 Volume threshold = 25dB 2 20 decibels, 25 decibels 2 15 decibels, 20 decibels 1 0 35 decibels, 40 decibels 0 45 decibels, 50 decibels 1 0 35 decibels, 40 decibels 2 30 decibels, 35 decibels 1 [Table 1]

The first test tone played is 25dB and 30dB. The number of tones the user hears may be 0, 1, or 2. When the number of tones the user hears is 0, volume adjustment module 20 increases the volume of each of the two tones by 10 (W1)dB and plays the two tones at the increased volume again through player 4 to the user's test ear. Therefore, the test tones are increased from 25dB and 30dB to 35dB and 40dB, respectively. Player 4 then plays the test tones a second time at 35dB and 40dB. When the number of tones the user hears is 1, volume adjustment module 20 decreases the volume of each of the two tones by 0*5 (W2)dB. Since a decrease of 0dB means the test tone volume remains unchanged, player 4 plays the test tones a second time at 25dB and 30dB. When the user hears two tones, the volume adjustment module 20 reduces the volume of the two tones by (2-1)*5(W2) decibels, and plays the two tones at the reduced volume again through the player 4 to the user's test ear. As a result, the test tones are reduced from 25 decibels and 30 decibels to 20 decibels and 25 decibels, respectively.

Refer to Table 1, where the number of single tones heard by the user during both the first and second test tone playbacks by player 4 is 1. Since the minimum volume of a single tone heard by the user during both the first and second test tone playbacks by player 4 is 30 decibels, detection module 3 determines that the volume threshold for the test frequency is 30 decibels.

Refer to Table 1, where the number of single tones heard by the user during the first and second test tone playbacks of player 4 is 2 and 1, respectively. Since the minimum volume of a single tone heard by the user during the first and second test tone playbacks of player 4 is both 25 dB, detection module 3 determines that the volume threshold for the test frequency is 25 dB.

Figure 4 is a flow chart of a hearing test method according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The present hearing test method is applicable to the aforementioned hearing test systems 1 and 1a. Referring to Figures 1, 2, and 4, the present method includes steps S1, S2, and S3. In step S1, a playback module 2 and a detection module 3 are provided for communication with each other. The playback module 2 includes a volume adjustment module 20. In step S2, a player 4 connected to the volume adjustment module 20 plays a test tone to the user's test ear. The test tone includes a plurality of single tones of different decibels or a plurality of single tones of different frequencies. In step S3, the user generates a test response based on a plurality of single tones of different decibels or a plurality of single tones of different frequencies, wherein the test response is the number of single tones heard by the user inputted into the detection module 3.

In some embodiments, the hearing test method of the present invention further includes the step of setting an initial volume using an initial volume setting module 21. The volume adjustment module 20 sets the decibels of a plurality of different decibel tones in the test sound according to the initial volume.

In some embodiments, the hearing testing method of the present invention further includes the steps of: selecting a test ear of the user using a target ear selection module 22, wherein the target ear selection module 22 selects the ear of the user that has not yet completed testing of the plurality of test frequencies as the test ear, and performs testing on the test ear; and when both ears of the user have completed testing of the plurality of test frequencies, outputting an audiogram based on the volume thresholds of the plurality of test frequencies using an audiogram output module 31.

In some embodiments, the hearing test method of the present invention further includes the step of using the frequency selection device 23 to select a frequency to be tested from a plurality of frequencies to be tested as a test frequency.

In some embodiments, the hearing test method of the present invention further includes the steps of: using the volume threshold recording module 30 to receive a plurality of test responses of the test frequency and generating a volume threshold of the test frequency according to the plurality of test responses; and using the volume threshold recording module 30 to record the volume threshold of the test frequency.

Referring to Figures 2 and 5 , in some embodiments, the hearing test method of the present invention further includes step S4. Step S4 is performed after step S3. In step S4, the volume adjustment module 20 adjusts the decibels of a plurality of different decibel tones in the test sound according to the test response. After step S4, step S2 is performed again.

See Figures 2 and 6. In this embodiment, step S4 further includes sub-steps S40, S41, S42, and S43. In sub-step S40, detection module 3 determines whether the minimum volume tone heard by the user when player 4 plays the test tone for the mth time is the same as the minimum volume tone heard when player 4 plays the test tone for the m-1th time. If the two are the same, sub-step S43 is executed. If the two are different, sub-step S41 or S42 is executed.

In sub-step S41, when the number of single tones heard by the user during the test tone playback is 0, the volume adjustment module 20 increases the volume of each of the N single tones by W1 decibels. In sub-step S42, when the number of single tones heard by the user during the test tone playback is L, the volume adjustment module 20 decreases the volume of each of the N single tones by (L-1)*W2 decibels.

In sub-step S43, the detection module 3 is used to determine the decibel of the single tone, which is the volume threshold of the test frequency.

The test response is not limited to the number of tones heard by the user inputted into the detection module 3. In some embodiments, the test response may also be the result of whether the user heard any of the test tones and inputted into the detection module 3. Please refer to Figure 7, which is a structural diagram of a hearing test system 1b according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention. The hearing test system 1b shown in Figure 7 and the components with similar structures and functions in the hearing test systems 1 and 1a are represented by the same reference numerals and will not be described in detail here. In this embodiment, the user generates a test response in response to a plurality of tones of different decibels or a plurality of tones of different frequencies. The test response is the result of whether the user heard any of the test tones and inputted into the detection module 3. In some embodiments, after the test tone is played, the detection module 3 displays "The test tone is played. Please input whether the user heard the single tone" through the user interface 32. Then, the user inputs "yes" or "no" into the detection module 3 through the user interface 32.

Referring again to Figure 7 , the volume adjustment module 20 plays a test tone to the user's test ear via the player 4 based on the initial volume set by the initial volume setting module 21 and the test frequency selected by the frequency selection module 23. The test tone includes N single tones of the same test frequency but different decibels. The volume interval of the N single tones is X decibels, where N and X are positive integers. The user generates a test response to the N single tones, and the volume adjustment module 20 adjusts the decibel of the single tones in the test tone based on whether the user hears any of the single tones. The player 4 plays a total of P test tones, where P is greater than or equal to 3. The user generates P test responses based on the P test tones, and these P test responses are stored in the detection module 3.

If the user hears any single tone when playing the test tone, the volume adjustment module 20 will reduce the volume of the N single tones by W3 decibels respectively, and play the N single tones with the reduced volume again to the user's test ear through the player 4, where W3 is a positive integer.

If the user does not hear any single tone when playing the test tone, the volume adjustment module 20 increases the volume of the N single tones by N*W4 decibels respectively, and plays the N single tones with the volume lowered again to the user's test ear through the player 4, where W4 is a positive integer.

When the user hears any single tone when the player 4 plays the test tone for the p-2th, p-1st, and pth times, and the results are yes, no, and yes respectively, the detection module 3 determines that the single tone with the smallest volume among the test tones played for the pth time is the volume threshold of the test frequency.

When the user hears any single tone when player 4 plays the test tone for the p-2th, p-1st, and pth times, and the results are yes, yes, and no, respectively, detection module 3 determines that the loudest single tone among the test tones played for the p-1th time is the volume threshold of the test frequency. p is greater than or equal to 3 and less than or equal to P.

The following Tables [2] and [3] use N as 3 and X as 5 as examples to illustrate how the volume adjustment module 20 adjusts the decibels of the single tones in the test tone according to the user's test response, and plays the test tone through the player 4, causing the user to generate multiple test responses, wherein the test response is the result of whether the user hears any single tone from the test tone and inputs it into the detection module 3, and how the volume threshold recording module 30 generates the volume threshold of the test frequency based on the multiple test responses. When N is 3 and X is 5, it means that the test tone includes 3 single tones, the volume interval of the 3 single tones is 5 decibels, and the volume adjustment module 20 adjusts the decibels of the single tones in the test tone played for the first time through the player 4 according to the initial volume setting set by the initial volume setting module 21.

The test tone played for the first time result The test tone played for the second time result The test tone played for the third time result 20 decibels, 25 decibels and 30 decibels yes 15dB, 20dB and 25dB no 30 decibels, 35 decibels and 40 decibels yes yes 15dB, 20dB and 25dB yes 10dB, 15dB and 20dB no no 35 decibels, 40 decibels and 45 decibels yes 30 decibels, 35 decibels and 40 decibels yes no 35 decibels, 40 decibels and 45 decibels yes 30 decibels, 35 decibels, 40 decibels no [Table 2] The test tone played for the 4th time result The test tone played for the 5th time result Volume threshold = 30dB Volume threshold = 25dB 25 decibels, 30 decibels and 35 decibels yes Volume threshold = 40dB 45 decibels, 50 decibels and 65 decibels yes Volume threshold = 45dB [Table 3]

The first test tones played were at 20, 25, and 30 decibels. The user input the result of whether they heard any of the test tones into the detection module 3. If the user heard any of the test tones, the volume adjustment module 20 lowered the volume of each of the three tones by 5 (W3) decibels and played the three tones at the user's test ear again through the player 4. As a result, the test tones were lowered from 20, 25, and 30 decibels to 15, 20, and 25 decibels, respectively. Then, the player 4 played the test tones a second time at 15, 20, and 25 decibels. If the user does not hear any of the test tones, the volume adjustment module 20 increases the volume of the three tones by 3*5 (W4) decibels and plays the three tones at the user's test ear again. As a result, the test tones are increased from 20, 25, and 30 decibels to 35, 40, and 45 decibels, respectively. Then, the player 4 plays the test tones a second time at 35, 40, and 45 decibels.

Please refer to [Table 2] and Table [3] for the results of whether the user heard any single tone when the player 4 played the test tone for the first, second and third time, which are divided into yes, no and yes. Since the single tone with the lowest volume in the test tone played for the third time is 30 decibels, the detection module 3 judges that the volume threshold of the test frequency is 30 decibels. Please refer to [Table 2] and Table [3] for the results of whether the user heard any single tone when the player 4 played the test tone for the first, second and third time, which are divided into yes, yes and no. Since the single tone with the highest volume in the test tone played for the second time is 25 decibels, the detection module 3 judges that the volume threshold of the test frequency is 25 decibels.

Figure 8 is a flow chart of a hearing test method according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. This hearing test method is applicable to the aforementioned hearing test method and hearing test system 1b. Referring to Figures 7 and 8 , this method includes steps S1, S2, and S5. In step S5, the user generates a test response based on a plurality of tones of varying decibels or a plurality of tones of varying frequencies. The test response, which indicates whether the user heard any of the test tones, is input into the detection module 3.

Referring to Figures 7 and 9 , in some embodiments, the hearing test method of the present invention further includes step S6 . Step S6 is performed after step S3 . In step S6 , the volume adjustment module 20 adjusts the decibels of a plurality of different decibel tones in the test sound according to the test response. After step S6 , step S2 is performed again.

See Figures 7 and 10. In this embodiment, step S6 further includes sub-steps S60, S61, S62, S63, and S64. In sub-step S60, detection module 3 determines whether the user heard any single tone when player 4 played the test tone for the p-2th, p-1st, and pth times. The results are yes, no, and yes, respectively. If the determination result is yes, sub-step S62 is executed. If the determination result is no, sub-step S61 is executed. In sub-step S61, detection module 3 is used to determine whether the user heard any single tone when player 4 played the test tone for the p-2th, p-1th, and pth times. The results are yes, yes, and no, respectively. When the judgment result is yes, sub-step S63 is executed. When the judgment result is no, sub-step S64 or S65 is executed.

In sub-step S64, if the user hears any single tone while playing the test tone, the volume adjustment module 20 lowers the volume of each of the N single tones by W3 decibels. In sub-step S65, if the user does not hear any single tone while playing the test tone, the volume adjustment module 20 raises the volume of each of the N single tones by N*W4 decibels. In sub-step S62, the detection module 3 determines that the tone with the lowest volume among the test tones played at the pth time is the volume threshold of the test frequency. In sub-step S63, the detection module 3 determines that the tone with the highest volume among the test tones played at the p-1th time is the volume threshold of the test frequency.

In summary, in the hearing testing system and method of this case, the user can generate a test response to multiple single tones of different decibels or multiple single tones of different frequencies, thereby reducing the testing time and preventing the test subject from becoming impatient due to excessive testing time and causing erroneous reactions.

It should be noted that the above examples are merely preferred embodiments for the purpose of illustrating this invention. This invention is not limited to the examples described. The scope of this invention is determined by the scope of the attached patent application. Furthermore, this invention is subject to various modifications conceived by those skilled in the art, without departing from the intended scope of protection of the attached patent application.

1, 1a, 1b: Hearing Test System 2: Playback Module 20: Volume Adjustment Module 21: Initial Volume Setting Module 22: Target Ear Selection Module 23: Frequency Selection Module 30: Volume Threshold Recording Module 3: Test Module 4: Player 31: Audiogram Output Module 32: User Interface S1, S2, S3, S4, S40, S41, S42, S43, S5, S6, S60, S61, S62, S63, S64, S65: Steps

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a hearing test system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a hearing test system according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 shows the audiogram output by the audiogram output module in Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a flow chart of the hearing test method of the preferred embodiment of this case.

Figure 5 is a flow chart of a hearing test method according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG6 is a detailed flow chart of step S4 in FIG5.

Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a hearing test system according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 8 is a flow chart of a hearing test method according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 9 is a flow chart of a hearing test method according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG10 is a detailed flow chart of step S6 in FIG9.

1: Hearing test system

2: Playback Module

3: Detection module

20: Volume Adjustment Module

32: User Interface

4: Player

Claims (20)

A hearing test system comprises: A playback module including a volume adjustment module, wherein the volume adjustment module is connected to a player and adjusts the volume of a test tone. The player plays the test tone to a test ear of a user. The test tone comprises a plurality of tones of different decibels or a plurality of tones of different frequencies; and A detection module communicating with the playback module. The user generates a test response in response to the plurality of tones of different decibels or the plurality of tones of different frequencies. The test response is input to the detection module by the user, indicating the number of tones heard. As in claim 1, the hearing test system, wherein the test tone includes N single tones of different decibels, the volume interval of the N single tones is X decibels, and N and X are positive integers. As in claim 2, the hearing test system, wherein the playback module further includes a frequency selection module connected to the volume adjustment module, the frequency selection module is configured to select the frequency to be tested from a plurality of frequencies to be tested as a test frequency, and the volume adjustment module generates the single tone containing the N different decibels corresponding to the test frequency. As in claim 3, the hearing test system, wherein the test module further includes a volume threshold recording module, which is configured to receive a plurality of test responses having the test frequency and generate a volume threshold based on the plurality of test responses, and the volume threshold recording module records the volume threshold of the test frequency. As in claim 4, the hearing test system, wherein the test module further includes an audiogram output module connected to the volume threshold recording module, and the audiogram output module is configured to output an audiogram according to the volume threshold of the test frequency. As in claim 4, the hearing test system, wherein the volume adjustment module plays the test sound M times through the player, M is greater than or equal to 2, and the user generates M test responses based on the M test sounds, and the M test responses are stored in the detection module. As in claim 6, the hearing testing system, wherein, if the number of the single tones heard by the user when playing the test tone is 0, the volume adjustment module increases the volume of the N single tones by W1 decibels respectively, and plays the N single tones with the increased volume again to the test ear of the user through the player, where W1 is a positive integer. As in claim 7, the hearing testing system, wherein, if the number of single tones heard by the user when playing the test tone is L, the volume adjustment module reduces the volume of the N single tones by (L-1)*W2 decibels respectively, and plays the N single tones with the reduced volume again to the test ear of the user through the player, where L is greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to N, and W2 is a positive integer. A hearing testing system as claimed in claim 8, wherein, when a single tone with the minimum volume heard by the user when the player plays the test tone for the mth time is the same as a single tone with the minimum volume heard when the player plays the test tone for the m-1th time, the detection module determines that the single tone with the minimum volume heard by the user when the test tone is played for the mth time is the volume threshold of the test frequency, and m is greater than or equal to 2 and less than or equal to M. As in claim 1, the hearing test system, wherein the playback module further includes an initial volume setting module connected to the volume adjustment module, the initial volume setting module is configured to set an initial volume for the user, and the volume adjustment module sets the decibels of the multiple different decibel tones in the test sound according to the initial volume. As in the hearing testing system of claim 1, the playback module further includes a target ear selection module, and the target ear selection module is configured to select the test ear of the user. A hearing test method comprises the following steps: (a) providing a playback module and a detection module that communicate with each other, wherein the playback module includes a volume adjustment module that adjusts the volume of a test tone; (b) using a player connected to the volume adjustment module to play the test tone to a test ear of a user, wherein the test tone includes a plurality of tones of different decibels or a plurality of tones of different frequencies; and (c) using the detection module to receive the number of tones heard by the user, wherein the user inputs the number of tones heard by the user into the detection module as a test response. The hearing test method as described in claim 12 further includes the step of setting an initial volume using an initial volume setting module, wherein the initial volume setting module sets the decibels of the multiple tones of different decibels in the test sound according to the initial volume. The hearing testing method as described in claim 12 further includes the step of: selecting the test ear of the user using a target ear selection module. The hearing test method of claim 12 further comprises the step of: using a frequency selection device to select the frequency to be tested from a plurality of frequencies to be tested as a test frequency. The hearing testing method as described in claim 15 further includes the steps of: using a volume threshold recording module to receive a plurality of test responses of the test frequency and generating a volume threshold of the test frequency based on the plurality of test responses; and using the volume threshold recording module to record the volume threshold of the test frequency. The hearing test method as described in claim 16, wherein after performing step (c), step (d) is performed: (d) using the volume adjustment module to adjust the decibels of the plurality of different decibel tones in the test tone according to the test response, and after performing step (d), step (b) is performed again. The hearing test method as described in claim 17, wherein the test tone includes N single tones of different decibels, the volume interval of the N single tones is X decibels, and N and X are positive integers, wherein step (d) further includes the steps of: (d1) using the detection module to determine whether the minimum volume of the single tone heard by the user when the player plays the test tone for the mth time is the same as the minimum volume of the single tone heard when the player plays the test tone for the m-1th time; if the two are the same, executing step (d4); if the two are different, executing step (d2) or (d3), wherein m is greater than or equal to 2; (d2) When the number of tones heard by the user during the test tone playback is 0, the volume adjustment module is used to increase the volume of the N tones by W1 decibels, where W1 is a positive integer. (d3) When the number of tones heard by the user during the test tone playback is L, the volume adjustment module is used to decrease the volume of the N tones by (L-1)*W2 decibels, where L is greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to N, and W2 is a positive integer. (d4) The decibel level of the tone is determined by the detection module as the volume threshold of the test frequency. A hearing test system comprises: A playback module including a volume adjustment module, wherein the volume adjustment module is connected to a player and adjusts the volume of a test tone. The player plays the test tone to a test ear of a user. The test tone comprises a plurality of tones of different decibels or a plurality of tones of different frequencies. A detection module, communicating with the playback module, wherein the user generates a test response in response to the plurality of tones of different decibels or the plurality of tones of different frequencies. The test response is input to the detection module as to whether the user hears any of the tones in the test tone. A hearing test method comprises the following steps: (a) providing a playback module and a detection module that communicate with each other, wherein the playback module includes a volume adjustment module that adjusts the volume of a test tone; (b) using a player connected to the volume adjustment module to play the test tone to a test ear of a user, wherein the test tone includes a plurality of tones of different decibels or a plurality of tones of different frequencies; and (c) using the detection module to receive a result indicating whether the user hears any of the tones in the test tone, wherein the user inputs the result of whether the user hears any of the tones in the test tone for the plurality of tones of different decibels or the plurality of tones of different frequencies into the detection module as a test response.